About Ben
As a native of Colorado, I grew up with an appreciation for the wilderness landscape. After moving to Arizona in 2000 to attend the Southwest College of Naturopathic Medicine, I began to explore Arizona's vast and varied terrain with my 35mm camera and mini tripod on weekends and breaks from school. I started heading out on day and overnight trips into the nearby deserts. With more planning I ventured north on multiple day backpacking trips into riparian areas deep in the Colorado Plateau. I was amazed by the ethereal beauty of Arizona’s canyons, creeks, and mountains—and through all seasons thanks to its mild climate.
After several years using only 35mm format, I began to experiment with medium and ultimately large format film transparency. Large format photography is an exercise in preparation, orientation, and luck. For me, the excitement in photography is planning for the best conditions and being prepared for the worst. I try to limit unpreparedness by visiting an area with smaller and lighter 35mm camera equipment several times in a month or even over the course of years. Once I am comfortable with the light and composition of an area, I return with my larger and more cumbersome large format camera to try and capture the 'ultimate' exposure.
My experience as a practitioner and instructor of Bikram Yoga has helped me develop a patience and fitness level conducive for Large Format Photography. After my wife and I opened Bikram Yoga Tempe in 2002, I also had a forum in which to display my photographs. Some of the images contained in the website gallery are displayed in large 4' x 5' installations on the walls of the Bikram Yoga Tempe and WellSpring Holistic Health, a holistic wellness center in South Tempe. The 4" x 5" film format allows me to create wall size images that retain high resolution. While standing next to the print, I want the viewer to feel the sensation of standing next to a gushing creek or hiking deep within a large canyon.
The images contained on this website were all originally captured on large format film transparency, and scanned at their highest resolution onto digital file without manipulation or enhancement. They are the result of years of study and anticipation for that certain synergy of place and light. Please enjoy!